Stationary cloth media filtration

ABSTRACT

The present inventions relate to water and wastewater treatment devices including stationary cloth filter media support structures which support structures also form the effluent plenum for the filtered influent.

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS

[0001] The present inventions relate generally to water and wastewatertreatment processes and devices. More particularly, the presentinventions relate to stationary cloth media filtration having a clothmedia support structure which forms the effluent plenum for thedischarge of filtered influent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

[0002] There are a variety of cloth media filtration systems availablefor water and wastewater treatment. However, these systems have rotatingframe assemblies supporting the cloth filter media and/or requireseparate effluent channels for effluent discharge.

[0003] For example, available disk filtration systems generally have atank with an inlet and outlet and a rotatable filter frame assemblypositioned between the inlet and outlet. Cloth filter media is stretchedover disk type frame sections which are connected to a rotatable supportstructure, such as a center tube pipe. During filtration, influent flowsinto the tank and passes through the rotating cloth filter media,through the hollow disk frame section and into the effluent center tubefor discharge through the tank outlet. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,639,315. The cloth filter media is periodically cleaned by a varietyof procedures, such as backwashing and/or high pressure spray while thedisks are rotating. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,360,5,876,612 and 6,090,298.

[0004] Similarly, another cloth media filtration system is generallyreferred to as drum filtration. In drum filtration systems, cloth filtermedia is stretched over support frames that form a large drum shape, asopposed to disks. The drums are attached to a center tube structure andtogether form a rotatable filter frame assembly. During filtration,influent flows into the tank and passes through the rotating clothfilter media, depositing the suspended solids on the cloth. The filteredinfluent flows through the rotating filter frame center tube and isdischarged through the tank outlet. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,090,965. Like disk filtration, the cloth filter media is periodicallycleaned while rotating by backwashing and the like.

[0005] A more recent development in cloth media filtration is stationarycloth media filtration systems invented by some of the same co-inventorsas the present inventions and assigned to Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.This development is shown and described in pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/329,630, filed on Dec. 26, 2002, entitled“Process and Devices for Water and Wastewater Treatment IncludingStationary Cloth Media Filtration. In general, this system includes oneor more distinct sealed effluent plenums. A series of cloth filter mediacovered filter plates are attached to and in fluid communication withthe effluent plenums. Influent flows into the filtration basin throughinfluent plenums and passes through the hollow cloth filter mediacovered filter plates. The filtered influent is then discharged throughthe effluent plenums. The cloth filter media is periodically cleaned,typically by backwashing, using a traveling bridge type assembly and thelike.

[0006] While the above described systems are effective for a variety ofapplications, there are some inherent limitations for otherapplications. For example, the rotating disk and drum cloth mediafiltration systems are limited in capacity because of the necessity forrotation of the assembly during both filtration and cleaning, whichlimits the length of the assemblies. To increase their length andcapacity, it is believed that intermediate supports, larger pumps andmore backwash equipment would be required. In addition, such systemsnecessarily have at least one rotating seal that is a potential area forfailure and contamination by infiltration of untreated influent. Thesesystems also require motors and related equipment necessary to impartrotation to the assemblies.

[0007] The stationary cloth filter media discussed in pendingapplication Ser. No. 10/329,630 is also effective for certain types ofapplications. However, this system requires, among other things,separate effluent plenums and a series of cloth media filter platesattached to the effluent plenums. As such, a large number of seals (forexample, between each filter plate where it is attached to the effluentplenums) are required, again, posing potential contamination problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present inventions preserve the advantages of known water andwastewater treatment filtration systems and devices and provide newfeatures, advantages and benefits over these systems. In addition, thepresent inventions preserve the advantages of known systems and devicesthat may be used in and/or are associated with these systems and providenew features, advantages and benefits.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cloth mediafiltration system is provided for the treatment of water and wastewaterhaving a stationary cloth filter media support structure that also formsthe effluent plenum for the discharge of filtered influent. Cloth filtermedia, preferably, but not limited to, a one piece sock, is attached tothe hollow cloth media support structure to filter the effluent passingthrough it. A traversing backwash system may also be provided to enablethe periodic cleaning of the cloth filter media. The cross-sectionalshape of the stationary support structure is preferably a diamond orhexagon, but other cross-sectional shapes may also be employed,depending upon such things as system requirements and the like.

[0010] Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clothmedia filtration device is provided having at least one stationary clothmedia support structure having a length, a cross-sectional shape and twoends. One end of the support structure is sealed and the other end ofthe support structure is open to and in fluid communication with anoutlet of a treatment basin. The support structure supports the clothfilter media and also forms the effluent plenum for the discharge offiltered effluent. The cross-sectional shape of the support structuremay be a variety of shapes and the cloth filter media is preferably aone piece sock, but may also be attached in sections or otherwise asknown in the art. A traversing backwash system to clean the cloth filtermedia and a control system to control the filtering and backwashoperations may also be provided.

[0011] The present inventions also provide a cloth media filtrationdevice for supporting cloth filter media having at least one elongatedcloth media support structure for placement in a water or wastewatertreatment basin that remains stationary during filtration and whichforms the effluent plenum for the discharge of filtered influent.Traversing backwash and control systems may also be provided.

[0012] A preferred method for filtering an influent of water orwastewater in a treatment basin and discharging the filtered influentthrough an effluent plenum is also provided, which includes the steps ofintroducing influent for treatment into a treatment basin, filtering theinfluent through cloth filter media supported on a stationary clothmedia support structure and discharging the filtered influent through aneffluent plenum formed by the stationary cloth media support structure.The methods may also include traversing backwash systems and controlsystems.

[0013] The present inventions further provide a cloth filter mediafiltration system for the treatment of water or wastewater in atreatment basin having stationary cloth filter media support means tosupport cloth filter media and also for forming effluent means for thedischarge of filtered influent from the treatment basin. Traversingbackwash means for periodically cleaning the cloth filter media is alsoprovided. The cloth filter media support means may have a variety ofcross-sectional shapes, and control means may also be provided.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideprocesses and devices for the treatment of water or wastewater usingcloth filter media that is supported by a stationary cloth media supportstructure that also forms the effluent plenum for the discharge offiltered influent.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide methods anddevices for stationary cloth media filtration wherein the cloth mediasupport structure forms the effluent plenum for the filtered influentand which may be retrofitted into existing treatment basins, designedfor new installations or as a stand alone tank unit.

[0016] An additional object of the present invention is to provide clothmedia filtration that reduces the number of seals and/or eliminates theneed for moving or rotating seals to isolate the untreated influent fromthe treated effluent and prevent contamination of the effluent.

[0017] Still another object of the present inventions is to provideprocesses and devices for stationary cloth media water and wastewatertreatment that eliminate the need for traditional granular mediaassociated with standard sand or other granular media filtrationsystems.

[0018] Still yet another object of the present inventions is toeliminate the equipment required to impart rotation to rotating clothfilter media systems.

[0019] Still an additional object of the present inventions is toprovide increased water or wastewater filtration capacity withoutincreasing the treatment basin footprint.

[0020] Still yet an additional object of the present inventions is toprovide increased flexibility in filtration capacity by changing thecross-sectional shape of the stationary cloth filter media supportstructure depending upon application or design requirements.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide water andwastewater filtration methods and devices that include one or more ofthe above stated or apparent aspects, features and advantages, alone orin combination, and also as may be set forth or become apparent below.

DEFINITION OF THE TERMS

[0022] The following terms which may be used in the various claims ofthis patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent withthe requirements of law:

[0023] Cloth filter media: Any permeable cloth-like material, includingbut not limited to natural or synthetic fiber or membrane compositions.

[0024] Treatment basin: The overall area devoted to the filtrationprocess, including the area where filtration occurs, and which may alsoinclude associated chambers, conduits, channels and the like for theintroduction of influent and ultimate discharge of treated effluent.

[0025] Cloth filter media support structure: The stationary assembly forplacement within the treatment basin that supports the cloth filtermedia and which forms the effluent plenum through which filteredinfluent is discharged. The assembly may also be referred to as “supportstructure.”

[0026] Traversing backwash system: The structural and mechanicalassembly that carries the components necessary to conduct the backwashand other operations which is able to traverse the length of the clothfilter media support structure and associated cloth filter media. Thesystem may include, but is not limited to, traveling bridge typeassemblies and backwash shoes, submerged pulley activated assemblies andthe like.

[0027] Control system: The structural, mechanical and electricalassembly that measures and controls water levels in the treatment basin,the influent and effluent levels, the operation of the filtrationsystem, as well as the operation of the traversing backwash system andthe like.

[0028] Effluent plenum: The effluent discharge formed by the clothfilter media support structure to discharge filtered influent from thetreatment basin. Effluent plenum is used in the following specificationand claims of this patent in a non-limiting fashion and as a shorthandway to distinguish the effluent discharge formed by the supportstructure of the present inventions from the effluent chambers,conduits, channels and the like used in relation to and/or are a part ofa typical treatment basin or tank.

[0029] Where alternative meanings are possible, in either thespecification or claims, the broadest meaning is intended. All wordsused in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customaryusage of grammar and the English language.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above described objects, features and advantages, as well asother features and advantages, of the present inventions (sometimes usedin the singular, but not excluding the plural) will become apparent byreference to the specification and drawings; wherein like referencenumbers are used for like elements among the several views, and inwhich:

[0031]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a series of cloth filter mediasupport structures of the present invention shown situated in a typicalwater or wastewater treatment basin.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of the inventions of FIG.1.

[0033]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a preferred cloth filter mediasupport structure of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred cloth filter media supportstructure showing details of each end of the embodiment installed in atypical treatment basin.

[0035]FIG. 5 is an end view of the closed end of the preferred supportstructure of FIG. 3 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

[0036]FIG. 6 is an end view of the open end of the preferred supportstructure of FIG. 3 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

[0037]FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing additional details of theclosed end of the preferred support structure of FIG. 3.

[0038]FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing additional details of theopen end of the preferred support structure of FIG. 3.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an alternativecross-sectional shape of the cloth filter media support structure.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternativecross-sectional shape of the cloth filter media support structure.

[0041]FIG. 10-A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternativecross-sectional shape of the cloth filter media support structure.

[0042]FIG. 10-B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternativeembodiment of a cloth filter media support structure of the presentinvention having a flat cross-section and situated over the floor of atreatment basin.

[0043]FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an alternative cross-sectionalshape of the cloth media support structure, the support structure shownadjacent to the floor of a treatment basin.

[0044]FIG. 12 is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the principalcomponents of a traversing backwash system of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 13 is an end view of a preferred traversing backwash systemof the present invention showing typical backwash shoes engaged with thecloth filter media covered support structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed tobe the preferred embodiments or best representative examples of theinventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications tothe preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives ormodifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose,structure, use or result are intended to be covered by the claims ofthis patent.

[0047] The system and devices of a typical embodiment of the presentinvention is shown generally as 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The presentinventions may be designed to be retrofit into the footprint of anexisting filtration basin to replace, for example, a typical granularmedia gravity filtration system. Modifications of the existing basin, aswill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, may berequired to conform the existing basin to accommodate the presentinventions, such as the erection of dividing walls and the like. Thepresent inventions may also be designed for a new installation orinstalled in a stand alone tank arrangement similar to conventionrotating disk filtration. For purposes of clarity, but not as anylimitation, the present inventions will be discussed in relation toand/or as part of treatment basin 21, typically constructed fromconcrete or other suitable materials. The treatment basin 21 typicallyincludes side walls 22 and a floor or bottom 23. A common influentchamber 24 may be provided which is in fluid communication with theinfluent channel 25 of the treatment basin. An influent weir 26 may alsobe provided to control the flow of influent water or wastewater to betreated. Influent flows along the influent channel 25 and into treatmentbasin 21 through holes 27 or other well known means. A typical treatmentbasin 21 also includes or may be provided with an effluent chamber 28that is in fluid communication with an effluent channel 29 via aneffluent weir 30 or other well known means of flow control.

[0048] The present inventions include a cloth filter media supportstructure 40 which supports cloth filter media 43 and remains stationaryduring filtering and cleaning as hereinafter described. Cloth filtermedia support structure 40 has a closed end 41 and an open end 42. It ispreferred, but not required, that cloth filter media 43 is formed from aone piece sock, the open end of which terminates and is sealed at theopen end 42 of support structure 40. The closed end 41 of supportstructure 40 is secured to an end wall 22 or bottom 23 of treatmentbasin 21 by, for example, mounting brackets 44 or other suitable means.The open end 42 of support structure 40 is attached to an opposing wall22 of treatment basin 21 using pipes, coupling, flanges, brackets or thelike as hereinafter described and shown generally as 45 in FIGS. 1 and2. Open end 42 is in fluid communication with effluent outlet 32, whichin turn is in fluid communication with effluent chamber 28.

[0049] Support structure 40 supports cloth filter media 43 so that, ashereinafter described, a hollow interior or effluent plenum 46 is formed(not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that permits influent to flow through thecloth filter media 43 and into effluent plenum 46 of support structure40 to be discharged through open end 42 into effluent chamber 28 viaeffluent outlet 32. In this manner, cloth filter media support structure40 both supports the cloth filter media 43 and forms an effluent plenum46. During operation, support structure 40 remains stationary and thereare only two non-moving seals necessary in this embodiment at the openend 42 of the support structure 40 to prevent the infiltration ofuntreated influent into the effluent, as hereinafter described.

[0050] A preferred embodiment of a cloth filter media support structure40 of the present invention may be seen in more detail by reference toFIGS. 3-8. Preferred support structure 40 has a generally diamond shapeor any shape with a uniform cross-section as particularly shown in FIGS.5 and 6. Support structure 40 may be constructed from a longitudinal topframe member 50 and a longitudinal bottom frame member 51 that may befabricated by one or more pieces of stainless steel, aluminum, plasticor other suitable material. Longitudinal side frame members 52 and 53may also be provided. A series of side support frame members 54 may beprovided and spaced along the length of support structure 40. A clothsupport screen 55 is then attached to the sides of the frame members 50,51, 52 and 53. Support screen 55 supports the cloth filter media 43 and,along with support frame members 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54, forms a hollowinterior or effluent plenum 46 through which influent passes, isfiltered and discharged. It will be understood by those of skill in theart that support structure 40 may be constructed and assembled in avariety of configurations consistent with the present inventions asdisclosed, discussed and/or claimed in this patent. As one alternateexample, separate top or bottom frame members 50 and 51 may not berequired as sufficient support frame members may be integrated into thesides of the support structure 40. Other methods or means of creatingsupport structure 40 will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

[0051] An embodiment of closed end 41 of support structure 40 may beseen by reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. A closed end plate 56, thatcoincides with the cross-sectional shape of support structure 40, isattached to longitudinal frame members 50, 51, 52 and 53 and isimpervious to fluid flow. Mounting bracket 44 may be attached to orformed as part of closed end plate 56, although other mounting means maybe readily employed. The closed end plate 56 may include channels 57 onthe outer sides so that bars or bands (not shown) may be placed in andsecured to the channels 57 after cloth filter media 43 is installed inorder to help tension, seal and secure the cloth filter media 43 to thesupport structure 40. Similarly, top and bottom frame members 50 and 51may also have outwardly facing channels 58 (top channel 58 shown in FIG.4) into which bars or bands (not shown) may be secured afterinstallation of cloth filter media 43 to help tension and secure thecloth filter media 43 to cloth filter media support structure 40.

[0052] An embodiment of open end 42 of support structure 40 may be seenin more detail by reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8. An end plate 60 thatcoincides with the cross-sectional shape of support structure 40 isattached to longitudinal frame members 50, 51, 52 and 53. End plate 60may also include side channels 61 into which corresponding bars or bands(not shown) may be placed in and secured to after cloth filter media 43is installed to help tension, seal and secure the cloth filter media 43to support structure 40. Attached to or formed as part of end plate 60is an opening 63 which may be in the form of a circular pipe 64 or otherwell known shapes and means.

[0053] The distal end of pipe 64 may include a groove 65. To aid in theattachment of open end 42 to the effluent outlet 32, an effluent pipe 45may be provided which is in fluid communication with effluent outlet 32of treatment basin 21. Pipe 45 is typically the same size as circularpipe 64 of open end 42. In a preferred embodiment, circular pipe 64 isattached to pipe 45 through the use of a ring coupling 66 that engagesgroove 65 and connects distal end 64 to pipe 45 in order to provide awater tight seal. Other methods may include flanges, threads and/orsleeves, as will be understood by those in the art.

[0054] In operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention20, untreated influent flows into common influent chamber 24 and isintroduced into influent channel 25 via influent weir 26. The influentis distributed into treatment basin 21 through holes 27 or other wellknown means on influent channel 25. Once in the treatment basin 21, theinfluent flows through and is filtered by cloth filter media 43 that isattached to and/or supported by stationary cloth filter media supportstructure 40. The filtered influent flows through the effluent plenum 46formed by support structure 40, through open end 42 and circular pipe64, into pipe 45, through outlet 32 and into effluent chamber 28 forultimate discharge.

[0055] It has been determined that when the present inventions areretrofit into standard width treatment basins, a series of cloth filtermedia support structures is preferred. For example, in a standard ninefoot wide basin, four support structures 40 may be used; in a twelve andone-half foot basin, six support structures 40 may be used; and, in asixteen foot basin, eight support structures 40 may be used. However,the number and spacing of support structures 40 is determined based uponflow, capacity and other design considerations, as will be understood bythose of skill in the art.

[0056] Periodic cleaning of the cloth filter media 43 may beaccomplished by a traversing backwash system shown generally as 67 inFIGS. 12 and 13. A preferred embodiment of the traversing backwashsystem 67 may be similar to a typical traveling bridge type assemblythat includes the bridge structure 68 that supports motors 69, pumps 70and wheels 71 that enable movement of the system 67 along the axis ofthe plenum 46 and over the cloth filter media 43. Support arms 72 arealso provided and supported by bridge structure 68. Support arms 72carry backwash shoes 73 that are used to clean the cloth filter media43. Although not discussed in detail herein, hoses, wires and othernecessary electrical, mechanical and structural components are providedto enable the backwash operation via backwash shoes 73, as will beunderstood by those of skill in the art.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, backwash shoes 73 are spring biased toproperly engage support structure 40 as shown in FIG. 13. The number,spacing and configuration of the backwash shoes depends upon thecross-sectional shape of the cloth filter media support structure 40.When backwashing is desired, bridge structure 68 rides along the top oftreatment basin 21 and along the axis of the support structure 40. Thebackwash system 67 may also run mid-depth or under support structure 40,depending upon the particular embodiment. Suction applied to backwashshoes 73 clean filter media 43 as the assembly 67 traverses the lengthof the basin and the length of stationary cloth filter media supportstructure 40. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, acontrol system is typically provided to regulate the backwash, filteringand other operations.

[0058] Other specified and unspecified embodiments may also be used topractice the present inventions. For example, different cross-sectionalshapes of support structure 40 may be readily employed, including butnot limited to, the hexagonal, circular and square cross-sectionalshapes shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 10-A. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11,the support structure 40 may be placed on and/or secured to the bottom23 of the treatment basin, potentially using floor 23 to form part ofeffluent plenum 46, and may also have a variety of cross-sectionalshapes. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10-B, support structure 40 may beflat and create an effluent plenum 46 incorporating the sides 22 andbottom 23 of treatment basin 21. In addition, alternative traversingbackwash systems are also contemplated. For example, backwash shoes 73(and their related components for performing backwashing operation) maybe submerged in treatment basin 21 and pushed or pulled along supportstructure 40 by cables, pulley and the like (not shown). And, although aone piece sock cloth filter media 43 is preferred, separate sectionsand/or pieces may also be used.

[0059] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of thewords used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, itis contemplated that future modifications in structure, function orresult will exist that are not substantial changes and that all suchinsubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered bythe claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventionshave been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changesand modifications can be made without departing from the claimedinvention. In addition, although the term “claimed invention” or“present invention” is sometimes used herein in the singular, it will beunderstood that there are a plurality of inventions as described andclaimed.

[0060] Various features of the present inventions are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cloth media filtration system for treatingwater or wastewater in a treatment basin having influent and effluentchannels, comprising: a stationary cloth filter media support structureforming an effluent plenum and positioned in the basin; a cloth filtermedia attached to and supported by said support structure; and atraversing backwash system including a backwash assembly forperiodically cleaning said cloth filter media.
 2. The invention of claim1 wherein the support structure has a diamond shaped cross-section. 3.The invention of claim 1 wherein a plurality of support structures areprovided in the basin.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein thetraversing backwash system includes a plurality of backwash assemblies.5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the support structure has ahexagonal shaped cross-section.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein thesupport structure has a circular cross-section.
 7. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the cloth filter media is a one piece sock covering saidsupport structure.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the supportstructure has a triangular cross-section.
 9. The invention of claim 1wherein the support structure has a flat cross-section with a plenumformed by the support structure, the basin walls and basin floor. 10.The invention of claim 1 wherein the cloth filter media is in separatepieces covering said support structure.
 11. A cloth media filtrationdevice for use in the treatment of water or wastewater influent in atreatment basin, comprising: at least one stationary cloth media supportstructure placed within the treatment basin having a length, across-sectional shape, at least one open end in fluid communication withan outlet wherein said support structure supports the cloth filter mediaand also functions as an effluent plenum for the discharge of filteredinfluent.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the support structurehas a diamond cross-section.
 13. The invention of claim 11 wherein thesupport structure has a hexagonal cross-section.
 14. The invention ofclaim 11 wherein the support structure has a circular cross-section. 15.The invention of claim 11 wherein the support structure has a triangularcross-section.
 16. The invention of claim 11 wherein the supportstructure has a square cross-section.
 17. The invention of claim 11wherein the support structure has a flat cross-section.
 18. Theinvention of claim 11 wherein the cloth filter media is a one piecesock.
 19. The invention of claim 11 wherein the cloth filter media ismulti-piece.
 20. The invention of claim 11 including a traversingbackwash system.
 21. The invention of claim 20 wherein a control systemfor regulating filtering and cleaning operations is provided.
 22. Acloth media filtration device for supporting cloth filter media,comprising: at least one elongated cloth media support structure forplacement in a treatment basin that remains stationary during use andwhich forms an effluent plenum for the discharge of filtered influent.23. The invention of claim 22 wherein a traversing backwash system isprovided for periodically cleaning the cloth filter media supported onsaid support structure.
 24. The invention of claim 23 wherein a controlsystem for regulating periodic cleaning is provided.
 25. A method forfiltering an influent of water or wastewater in a treatment basin anddischarging said filtered influent, including the steps of: introducingwater or wastewater for filtering into a treatment basin; filtering theinfluent through cloth filter media supported on a stationary clothmedia support structure; discharging the filtered influent through aneffluent plenum formed by said stationary cloth media support structure;and periodically cleaning said cloth filter media.
 26. The invention ofclaim 25 including a control system.
 27. A cloth filter media filtrationsystem for the treatment of water or wastewater in a treatment basin,comprising: stationary cloth filter media support means to support clothfilter media and also for forming effluent means for the discharge offiltered influent; and traversing backwash means for periodicallycleaning the cloth filter media.
 28. The invention of claim 27 whereinthe support means has a diamond shaped cross-section.
 29. The inventionof claim 27 wherein the support means has a hexagonal shapedcross-section.
 30. The invention of claim 27 wherein the support meanshas a circular shaped cross-section.
 31. The invention of claim 27wherein the support means has a triangular shaped cross-section.
 32. Theinvention of claim 27 wherein the support means has a flatcross-section.
 33. The invention of claim 27 wherein the cloth filtermedia is a one piece sock.
 34. The invention of claim 27 wherein thecloth filter media is multi-piece.
 35. The invention of claim 27 whereincontrol means for regulating the traversing backwash means is provided.36. The invention of claim 27 wherein the support means has a squareshaped cross-section.